Opo Codes

ISBN barcode generator

A book barcode is an ISBN-13 drawn as an EAN-13 bar code that bookshops scan at the till. Opo Codes draws the bars for the ISBN you supply, checks its last digit, adds an optional 2 or 5 digit add-on, and exports free in your browser. It does not issue ISBNs.

Open the generatorFree. Runs in your browser.

How to do it

  1. Open the generator with ISBN-13 already selected.
  2. Type the ISBN-13 with its hyphens, exactly as printed, for example 978-0-306-40615-7.
  3. Add a 2 or 5 digit add-on if you want one, such as a price code.
  4. Check the scan stamp, choose PNG, JPG, SVG or PDF, then download.

How the ISBN-13 check digit works

The ISBN-13 check digit uses the same rule as an EAN-13. Take the first 12 digits. Add the digits in positions 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11. Add the digits in positions 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12 and multiply by 3. Add both and find what is needed to reach the next multiple of 10.

Worked example with 978030640615. Positions 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11 hold 9, 8, 3, 6, 0, 1, which add up to 27. Positions 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12 hold 7, 0, 0, 4, 6, 5, which add up to 22, and 22 times 3 is 66. The total is 93. The next multiple of 10 is 100, so the check digit is 7 and the ISBN-13 is 978-0-306-40615-7. You can leave the last digit off and it is added. A wrong last digit is refused.

Hyphens, ISBN-10 and the add-on

Type the hyphens as printed on the copyright page, because the encoder needs them to read the number. Where hyphens fall depends on the publisher, and this tool checks the check digit, not the grouping. The scan reads back 13 digits without hyphens, and the check treats that as a match. The prefix must be 978 or 979.

An old ISBN-10 becomes an ISBN-13 by putting 978 in front of its first 9 digits and working out a new check digit. So 0-306-40615-2 becomes 978-0-306-40615-7. Add-on 52495 is the usual price code, where the 5 means US dollars and 2495 means 24.95. With a 5 digit add-on the code is about 58 mm wide at the default 0.33 mm bar width, including quiet zones, and about 39 mm without it.

Where the ISBN comes from

This tool encodes the ISBN you give it. It does not issue ISBNs and it cannot check that an ISBN is registered to your book. ISBNs come from your national ISBN agency or your publisher. The number above is an example for testing a layout.

Magazines use an ISSN and printed music uses an ISMN, and both are in the same picker. Download SVG or PDF for the back cover file.

Questions

Do I need to type the hyphens?

Yes. Type the ISBN-13 with hyphens as printed. The tool needs them to read the number, and the scan check ignores them.

Can I start from an ISBN-10?

Convert it first: put 978 in front of the first 9 digits and add the new check digit. The example above shows how.

What is the add-on for?

A 5 digit add-on is commonly used for a price code, and a 2 digit one for an issue number. Both are optional.

Can I sell a book with a number made here?

Only with an ISBN that was assigned to that book. This tool draws the bars and does not assign ISBNs.

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